Michael Richardson Continues To Impress On Tyneside

Michael Richardson, who turned 19 on St. Patrick’s day, is a young local winger who was given a trial at the Newcastle club last August, and he’s never looked back.

Boyish looking Michael Richardson - has loads of skill
Michael was working for the Newcastle City Council for a couple of years until last summer, and joined the Newcastle club from Walker Central.

The youngster has since made amazing progress in a short seven months at the club, and was again on the bench for Newcastle at the Britannia Stadium last Saturday.

The ginger-haired winger is now on the fringes of the Newcastle United first team, after playing very well in the Newcastle Reserve side this season.

And Michael did himself no harm earlier in the week, when he scored for the Newcastle Reserve side against an experienced Manchester United side, in front of manager Alan Pardew, as he put in another impressive performance in the 2-1 defeat.

The former Kenton School pupil said:

“I almost pinch myself every morning coming through the gates in my car – it doesn’t seem real,” “I was an electrician for two years, but I’d always played football since I was little. I got a trial and did well, and have been here ever since.”

“It’s a good story. Hopefully I’ll keep playing well, and I’ll keep progressing. Last year I never thought I’d be playing against Man U and scoring. It’s been going well, and hopefully I’ll keep going.”

“If you keep going and, deep down, want to make it, I’m sure you can. You’ve just got to work hard and do the things needed.” “Having been a fan, it was unbelievable to sit on the bench. To warm up on the pitch at St James’ Park in front of 50,000 was amazing.”

We’ve often said that Peter Beardsley has an important role to play at the Newcastle club, as he brings through the youngsters, and it’s in that stage between the Youth U18 side and the first team.

And it seems that Michael has been impressed with Peter running the Reserve side, and of course Beardsley was a massive player for both Newcastle and Liverpool in his sparkling career, and he knows what he’s talking about.

Michael continued:

“They were top pros in their time. For them to be coaching you is unbelievable. You can’t get any better coaching staff that what we’ve got here.”

“It’s always good to get another 90 minutes under the belt to keep the fitness going,” “Obviously, Man U are a decent team. We knew they were going to pass it well, and we had to try and keep our shape, and keep the ball when we got it so we weren’t chasing round all the time.”

“The result wasn’t what we wanted, but I thought we did quite well. It’s another goal – I scored against them last time. It’s always good to get another goal, but it’s the team that counts, and we wanted the result.”

“We’ve had a good season so far. We’re up at the top of the league, and it’s just disappointing not to get another win and keep it going.” “I think we’re doing very well. We’re a young group, and if we keep going, we’ll do well in the league.”

Newcastle fans have already seen another 19 year-old impress for the Newcastle first team last Saturday, as Irishman Shane Ferguson put in a great display against Stoke at left back, and also moved down the wing in impressive style too.

And Alan Pardew seems to already rate the Newcastle-born player highly, as he said recently:

“He’s only been here 10 months, and he’s jumped ahead of a few players.” “Fair play to him, he looks a really good prospect.”

“But, of course, he shouldn’t be on the bench for a club this size at this time.” “Hopefully, his time is in the next couple of years.” “We really like him.”

“He’s a great lad and we’re hoping to see much more from him in the future. It’s a great opportunity.”

Good words from the boss, and Michael could even make his first team debut later this season, and then Alan Pardew will need to decide if Michael is already good enough to challenge for a first team position next season.

If he deems he isn’t quite ready, then he’ll send him out on loan to some Championship side, to further develop his skills and learn his trade.

But this boy has been an instant hit so far at Newcastle, and looks to have a great career in front of him at his local club.

Just think in a couple of years, both Shane Ferguson and Michael Richardson could be first-teamers at Newcastle.

unfortunately if pardew doesn’t play the young’uns they won’t get the experience,in the second half at stoke when the game was obviously lost this lad should have been brought on to give him some game time.

marshy;
the big danger is that the young lads come on, and a 4-0 turns into a 6 or 7 -0, what do you think that would do to thier development? Bear in mind that goal difference certainly needs to be our friend at 6 o’clock on the 22nd of May.

In honor of two dedicated Newcastle fans, who lost their lives supporting Newcastle United, when their passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine on Thursday July 17th, 2014 by rebels, as they were traveling to support the team in New Zealand.

We will never forget them.

Fantasy League

Mark Harding has again set up the Fantasy League for our readers for this season.

The new code is 3641-1656 and people can set up the league here:

http://fantasy.premierleague.com

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Health Update - 4 Feb, 2015

I had another battery of medical tests early last week, and the results show my PSA count as undetectable, which means the prostate cancer is still under control, and there is no trace of cancer in the body.

I'm very pleased about that!

Ed Harrison

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What Is A Football Club?

“What is a club in any case?"

“Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it.

It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes."

“It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city."

“It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.”